JPH024695A - Method and device for filling vessel, etc. with liquid containing carbonic acid, particularly, drink under back pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the undesired escape of liquid from a filled container as a result of foaming of the liquid which is caused by a rise of released carbon dioxide of the liquid filled between the pre-relief pressure phases during relief to atmospheric pressure by having the pre-relief pressure regulated in such a way to a pressure that is between atmospheric pressure and the saturation pressure of the liquid. CONSTITUTION: If the pressure of a back pressure gas in a back pressure gas chamber 26 is higher than a critical pressure KD depending on the filling pressure, i.e., if the pressure of the back pressure gas in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is between the filling pressure and critical pressure KD, the pressure of the back pressure gas in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is adjusted to certain pressure value by a pressure filler 33 and an adjusting valve 32. The pressure value forms a pre-relief pressure in a pre-relief pressure phase following the filling phase and further, in a closed liquid valve 48. The pre-relief pressure is between atmospheric pressure and the saturation pressure of the liquid, and the liquid filled in a container 18 is stabilized by a pre-relief pressure between the pre-relief phases. It is selected to enable the carbon oxide to rise from the filled liquid without leading to foaming or excessive foaming of the liquid and without reaching at an outward direction or a back pressure gas duct 26 or a connection portion 64.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method of filling a carbonated liquid, in particular a carbonated beverage, into a container or the like under counter pressure according to the generic concept of claim 1, and The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the general concept of scope item 14.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When filling with carbonated liquids, in particular also when filling containers or bottles with beverages under counterpressure, it is necessary to depressurize the container to atmospheric pressure after the liquid filling or filling phase has ended. Its relatively high C
Due to the O□ content, it is particularly preferable in liquids, such as champagne or soft drinks, which do not have ideal filling properties even when the liquid is to be filled from an economic point of view even at relatively high temperatures. A vacuum is necessary to avoid foaming or over-foaming of the liquid to be carefully filled. For this purpose, it is known to carry out the depressurization to atmospheric pressure in stages, such that the preliminary depressurization phase presupposes a specific depressurization to atmospheric pressure.

A known method of this kind (West German patent specification 112724L
), following the filling phase the gas space present in the filled container is briefly reduced to atmospheric pressure, i.e. the pressure reducing valve in the filling element is opened for a short time by the control curve of the filling machine and likewise By closing again, the pressure is reduced, so that the carbon dioxide, which is not tightly bound to the filled liquid, is brought to a low pressure value by the resulting reduction in the gas space of the container and the final reduction to atmospheric pressure and In this known method, the filled liquid is sedated before removal of the container from the associated filling element takes place, and a pre-depressurization is always necessary for economical filling with the greatest possible efficiency. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to reach equal pre-decompression pressures.

In the known method, the control curve causes a short-term opening of the pressure reducing valve of the filling element, so that in principle it is also not possible to adapt the pre-pressure reduction to liquids with different properties.

A method for filling containers with a carbonated liquid under back pressure using a one-chamber back pressure filling machine is known (West German Patent Publication No. 36 22 807), in which the filling phase takes place under back pressure in the container to be filled. This is achieved by closing the liquid valve of the filling element when the lower end of the gas pipe is immersed in the filling liquid. After the end of the filling phase, i.e. after the closure of the liquid valve, the backpressure gas line communicates with a chamber whose pressure is less than the pressure in the liquid tank, so that the liquid present above the lower end of the backpressure gas line is absorbed by this backpressure gas line. It is carried out from the bottle through a pressure gas pipe into a ring-shaped chamber. The purpose of this measure is the correction of the predetermined target height of the filling level maintained after the end of the filling phase, and not the pre-depressurization of each container.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides that liquids with significantly different filling properties can be filled in an economical manner, respectively, in such a way that they can be filled optimally and can be worked with the lowest possible pre-vacuum pressure. Optimum adaptation of the pre-decompression pressure to the filling characteristics of the liquid to be filled, which is filled, prevents foaming of the filled liquid upon depressurization to atmospheric pressure and leakage of this liquid to the outside from the container via the ducts of the filling element. The objective is to create a method and device that avoids this.

(Means for solving the problem) The problem of the invention is solved by a device according to the characterizing parts of claim 1 and the features of claim 14.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The method according to the invention is suitable for filling containers with back pressure filling machines of one-chamber or multi-chamber construction and optimizes the pre-vacuum pressure to the very different filling characteristics of the liquids to be filled by the machine. allows it to be adapted to. In this case, it is also ensured that the same conditions are always established during each pre-depressurization.

With respect to its filling properties itself, the method according to the invention
Champagne or soft drinks are filled cleanly with high filling efficiency at relatively high temperatures, i.e. without foaming or leakage from the container or bottle, with the result that very problematic liquids, for example approximately 9. ．． 5g Co! / Ltr, champagne is also 1
Filled at a temperature of 56C.

C0t - A filling pressure of 6.5 bar is used when filling champagne with a saturation pressure of approx. 3.0 bar, with the pre-vacuum pressure leading to foaming and leakage into and out of each bottle of champagne. With a pre-decompression time of approximately 1.5 seconds, the pressure can be reduced to 0.8 bar without any pressure and despite the relatively high filling temperature.

Saturation pressure or CO□ saturation pressure in the sense of the invention is the pressure at which, at a certain CO1 content in the liquid and at a certain temperature, no carbonic acid bubbles rise.

In the method according to the invention, the back-pressure gas compressed during filling of the container is discharged with a pressure gradient into the chamber via a connection with a throttle device, so that if the liquid properties of the liquid to be filled permit, The pressure ratio is preferably such that the chamber-regulated or regulated pre-vacuum pressure is located between atmospheric pressure and the saturation pressure and preferably below the saturation pressure, but at the same time between the filling pressure and the critical pressure of the throttling device. It is also located in between. In this way, it is also possible to optimize the filling speed with respect to the filling characteristics of the liquid to be filled without changing the throttle device.

The critical pressure here is the pressure in the chamber at which the volume of backpressure gas through which the throttle device flows during the filling phase varies depending on the pressure.

(Example) FIG. 1 shows a counter-pressure filling machine with a ring-shaped liquid tank 11, on the outer circumference of which a number of ring-shaped filling elements 12 are mounted, a rotating structure for in particular carbonated liquids, in particular for beverages. 1 schematically shows a three-chamber counterpressure filling machine 10 of FIG. Each filling element 12 has a vertically arranged filling tube 13 and a vertically movably arranged ventricle and occlusion tulip-shaped member 14 . Each filling element 12 has a lifting device 1 with a stroke cylinder 16 and a support pan 17 for a container 18 to be filled, for example a bottle.
5 is attached. For lifting and lowering, the stroke cylinder 16 is always energized with a pressure medium in the direction of lifting, and a stroke cylinder control cam 19 is mounted in the area of the opening of the container (not shown), on which a support tray with the filled container is mounted. The container 18 to be filled is lowered in front of the outlet and in this lowered state is lifted from the support pan 17 onto the respective filling element 12 at the entrance to the support pan 17.
In order to accommodate this, it is possible to provide a stroke cylinder cam 19 for riding on a control roller 20 provided on the stroke cylinder 16.

At the bottom of the ring-shaped liquid tank 11, a ring-shaped distribution chamber 25 for the boost gas and a ring-shaped back pressure gas chamber 26 for the back pressure gas are installed. Central distributor 2 of filling machine 10
Via 7, the liquid tank 11 is connected to the liquid line 28 and the ring distribution chamber 15 is connected to the energizing gas line 29. An outlet 30 of the backpressure gas chamber or a line 31 extending from this outlet 30 and likewise leading through the distributor 27 is connected to a regulating valve 32, to which a line 31 or backpressure which extends upstream in the flow direction is connected. A pressure tweeter 33 inserted into the gas chamber 26 is attached, for example, a pressure regulator, and the pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 can be adjusted by the pressure regulator. liquid conduit 28
A further pressure regulator or pressure tweeter 34 is provided at , which controls a further regulating valve 35 which is intermediately connected to the liquid conduit 28 upstream in the flow direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, regulating valves 32 and 35 can be controlled separately or independently by respective associated pressure tweeters 33 or 34. However, in principle, the pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26, regulated by the pressure tweeter 33, is transferred to the liquid conduit 28, as indicated by the dotted signal line 34' in FIG.
It is also possible to provide a connection in order to make it dependent on the pressure measured by the pressure tweeter 34 therein and thus on the filling pressure in the liquid tank 11. The control or regulation circuit which closes the pressure tweeters 33 and 34 in this case is for example configured such that the pressure tweeter 33 is activated by one signal taking into account the pressure measured by the pressure tweeter 34, the filling pressure and the pressure measured by the pressure tweeter 34. If the pressure difference between the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber and the backpressure gas pressure measured by the tweeter 33 exceeds a desired, preferably preferably adjustable pressure difference, i.e. if the filling pressure in the liquid tank 11 is If set, the regulator valve 32 is designed to open when the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 falls below the critical pressure of the throttle device of the filling element 12, which will be described in more detail below. As a result, if the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is adjusted to a pressure between the filling pressure and the critical pressure of the throttling device, the filling rate will be limited. l1l (the amount of liquid flowing into the container 18 to be filled per unit time) can be adjusted to an optimal value by the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26.

The pressure in the ring distributor 27 is regulated as a function of the filling pressure in the liquid tank 11 or in the liquid conduit 28.

For this purpose, a regulating valve 36 is intermediately connected to the boosting gas line 29, which is equipped with a pressure regulator or pressure tweeter 37 inserted into the boosting gas line 29. The pressure tweeter 37 is configured such that the pressure difference between the filling pressure in the liquid conduit 28 and the energizing gas pressure in the energizing gas conduit 29 is preset by the control of the regulating valve 36 in the energizing gas conduit 29. control conduit 34 in accordance with a preselectable, preferably preselectable value, ie such that the boosting gas pressure in boosting gas conduit 29 is adjusted to be lower than the filling pressure in liquid conduit 28 by this pressure difference. ” are technically connected through coordination.

FIG. 2 shows a ring-shaped liquid tank whose wooden construction is known and each has a valve seat 41 in one valve chamber 38 of a filling element housing 40 and a valve body 43 lifted from this valve seat 41 by an opening spring 42. 11 shows the filling element 12 in the filling position attached to 11; The valve chamber 38 is connected via a liquid duct 44 with a liquid chamber 45 of the liquid tank 11 and an electrical or electro-pneumatic actuating device 46 is arranged on the filling element housing 40, which device is connected to the control line. a to the central control device 47 of the filling machine 10. In the operating state, the operating device 46
is pressed onto the valve seat 41 against the action of the opening spring 42 and thereby closes the liquid valve 48 of the filling element 12 formed by the valve seat 41 and the valve body 43.

A filling tube 13 with an electrical switching device 49 (electrode arrangement) is inserted into the filling element housing 40 from below in a known manner. The switching device 49 is connected to the control device 47 via a signal conductor (not shown). On the side of the filling element housing 40 there is an energizing gas valve mechanism 50 in the form of a flat slide valve.
A flat valve plate 52 is rotatably supported within the housing 51 by a support 53. The support 53 has at its free end projecting from the housing 51 an actuating lever 54 which is connected to a control element 56 mounted at a distance and in a different plane from a fixed control ring 55 of the filling machine 10. , for example, cooperate with a control cam in the machine rotation to pivot the valve plate 52 into the respective required operating position. The spring 57 presses the valve plate 52 in a gas-tight manner against the socket plate 58 , and the side of the socket plate facing the valve plate 52 has the lower leg and filling element of the liquid tank 11 which exits the ring distributor chamber 25 . An energizing gas supply duct 59 communicates through the housing 40 . Further, on the surface of the socket plate 58 facing the valve plate 52, an equilibrium duct 60, an energizing gas supply duct 59, and a valve plate 52, which communicate with an equilibrium chamber 61 formed between the liquid valve 48 and the filling pipe 13, are arranged. A boosting gas introduction duct 62 connectable via a groove (not shown) and leading into the ring-shaped boosting gas chamber at the lower end of the filling element housing 40
There is a connection.

From the lower end of the filling element housing 40 a connection 64 with a throttle device 63 leads through the filling element housing 40 to the backpressure gas chamber 26 . This connection divides on the one hand into a conduit section 69 and another conduit section 70 in the section leading upward from the inlet lower end 9 at the lower end of the filling element housing 40 and on the other hand into a backpressure gas chamber 26 The conduit section 69 and the other conduit section 70 are rejoined after a sufficient length section to form a conduit section 71 . A nozzle 65 for filling with a minimum filling rate is provided in the conduit section 69, in the exemplary embodiment shown this nozzle has an effective cross-sectional area of 0.64 mm. Into the other conduit section 70 a nozzle 67 is inserted, which in the example shown has an effective cross-sectional area of 0.81 m and is effective together with nozzle 65 during filling with high filling rates.

For this purpose, the valve plate 52 is provided with a control groove 72 through which the ends of the struts 69, which in the specified operating state of the valve plate 52 open to the side of the socket plate 58 facing the valve plate 52, are connected during the filling stroke. Connectable for the discharge of backpressure gas which is compressed to The nozzle 67 is followed in the direction of flow by an electrically or electropneumatically actuated drain valve 66 located in another conduit section 70, which drain valve communicates with the control device via a control conduit. In the closed position, the valve body 76 blocks the conduit section 70.

As shown in FIG. 3, the conduit section 69 can also be configured to be closable by a check valve 77 inserted into the conduit section 69, which allows unobstructed backpressure gas discharge. However, the backflow of backpressure gas to atmospheric pressure during bottle rupture or container depressurization can be automatically prevented. By using such check valves 77, for example ball check valves, the switching steps that would otherwise be necessary for the opening or closing of the conduit section 69 for the valve plate 42 as well as the control grooves 72 that are also necessary in the valve plate 52 are eliminated. is omitted.

A container gate part 73 is formed in the energizing gas valve mechanism 50 that includes the throttle device 63 and the connecting part 64, and the container depressurization part is used for final depressurization of the filled container to atmospheric pressure. Helpful. This container pressure reduction section 73 has a pressure reduction duct 75 equipped with a throttle device 74, and the pressure reduction duct is connected to the socket plate 58.
exits from the surface facing the valve plate 52 and communicates with the lower periphery toward an outlet on the outer peripheral surface.

A duct (not shown) formed in the valve plate 52 connects the balance duct 60, the energizing gas introduction duct 62, and the pressure reduction duct 75 at the pressure reduction position of the valve plate 52.

In the diagram in FIG. 5, in the filling phase, i.e. during the filling of the container 18, the back-pressure gas duct 2 is compressed by the liquid supplied to the container 18 and passed through the throttling device 63.
The influence of the throttling device 63 on the flow rate VS (volume per unit time) of the back pressure gas discharged into the container 6 and thus on the filling rate (volume of liquid flowing into each container 18 per unit time) The influence is also given in a standardized manner depending on the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 and the filling at higher rates is shown by the solid line, i.e. the filling by the backpressure gas flow through the nozzles 65 and 66 is shown by the solid line; And for the minimum filling rate, the backpressure gas flow through nozzle 65 only is represented by the dotted line. The back pressure gas flow passing through both nozzles 65 and 67 and the flow 11Vs when the pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is very low is defined as 100%. The course of the flow 1vs as a function of the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 is depicted in FIG. ing.

If the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is below the critical pressure KD, as shown in FIG. 67 effective cross-sectional area.

In the example, the critical pressure KD is approximately 0.8 par at a filling pressure of 2.5 bar and approximately 1.6 at a filling pressure of 4 bar.
It's a crowbar.

If the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is higher than the critical pressure KD which depends on the filling pressure, that is, the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 is located between the filling pressure and the critical pressure KD. In this case, the flow rate VS and therefore the filling rate is determined by the pressure feeler 33 and the regulating valve 32 in the back pressure gas chamber 26 in the preset state of the throttle device 63 (in particular the effective cross-sectional area of the nozzles 65 and 67). 32 is dependent on the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 regulated by 32 . In this case or in this mode of operation of the filling machine 10, the respective filling speed is optimally adapted to the liquid properties of the liquid to be filled by adjusting the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 without changing the throttle device 63. and, in particular, during filling, neither an excess amount of carbonic acid is released nor an undesired foaming of the filled liquid in the container 18.

However, in the embodiment described, the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 is regulated by the pressure feeler 33 and the regulating valve 32 to a pressure value, which pressure value is equal to the predepressurization phase following the filling phase of the container 18. And in the already closed liquid valve 48 a pre-reduced pressure is formed, which pre-reduced pressure is located between the atmospheric pressure and the saturation pressure of the carbonated liquid to be filled, so that the liquid filled in the container 18 is not affected by this pre-reduced pressure. The vacuum pressure can stabilize during the pre-vacuum pressure and lead to foaming or over-foaming of the liquid and the filling without the liquid reaching the outside or the backpressure gas duct 26 or the connection 64 with this vacuum. selected to allow carbonation to rise from the liquid.

As long as the filled liquid (in particular its carbonic acid bond strength, the proportion of carbonic acid present in the liquid, the filling temperature and, depending on this, the filling pressure and saturation pressure) allows, the backpressure gas chamber 26
The backpressure gas pressure within ensures an optimal pre-depressurization of the respectively filled container 18 and the backpressure gas pressure during the filling phase between the critical pressure KD and the respective filling pressure. The backpressure gas pressure in the chamber 26 is adjusted to such a value that a filling rate is obtained which is adapted as optimally as possible to the properties of the liquid to be filled in each case.

9.5 g Cot /Ltr, and a filling pressure of 6.5 bar during filling of champagne at a temperature of 15 °C and 3,
At a saturation pressure of 0 bar CO, the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 can be adjusted to a value of approximately 0.8 bar, so that after the filling phase the 0° of the container 18 or bottle is 8
A pre-reduced pressure of Bar is possible, so that foaming occurs or the liquid to be filled (champagne) flows out to the outside or is allowed to reach the backpressure gas duct 26 or the connection 64.

After adjusting the filling machine to the required filling pressure, energizing gas pressure and back pressure gas pressure required for pre-(fN depressurization), the actual filling is started by rotation of the machine, as shown in FIG. , each container 18 to be filled, e.g. a bottle, is placed in the ventricle under the intermediate insertion of the closure element 78 so that the tulip-shaped member 14 is brought into closure with the lower end of the filling element housing 40 of the filling element 12 and the control device Liquid valve 4 by means of a control signal supplied from 47 via signal line a to actuating device 46
8, a normal pre-pressure with air or inert gas, and in special cases a pre-cleaning can also be preceded by a pre-cleaning, so that under the action of the opening spring 42 the liquid valve 48 is 2 to the open position shown in FIG. At this point, for filling with the lowest filling speed, the valve plate 52 is in a state in which the conduit section 69 is opened through the control groove 72 after the action of the actuating lever 54 on the control element 56, so that During the inflow of the liquid being inserted, a backpressure gas is compressed by the liquid exiting from the lower end of the filling tube 13 and forms a mixture with the prepressure gas and the air provided by the container 18 to be filled, at the container mouth and the bulge. It enters the conduit section 68 of the connection to be supplied via the element 78 and subsequently the conduit section 69 and the nozzle 6 arranged therein.
5 and the conduit section 71 of the connection 64 to be discharged into the backpressure gas chamber 26 which is below the set backpressure gas pressure. In this case, irrespective of the set back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber 26 acting on the cross section of the nozzle 65 and on the container 18 to be filled, the liquid flows out from the lower end of the filling tube 13 at a slow flow rate. A pressure gradient is adjusted to the outgoing filling pressure. When the liquid rising in the container 18 during further rotation of the filling element 12 reaches the lower end of the filling tube 13, the drain valve 66 is activated on the basis of a control signal supplied from the control device 47 via the control line. is opened, so that backpressure gas can additionally also be discharged via another nozzle 47.

A pressure gradient relative to the filling pressure is established in the container 18 to be filled, which pressure gradient at least at the nozzle 6
5 and 67 and possibly depending on the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 if it lies between the critical pressure KO and the filling pressure. The liquid inflow continues with a high flow rate or filling rate.

During this filling process, which has a high filling rate, when the liquid rises into the narrowed part of the container 18, the drain valve 66 is closed by a control signal applied to the drain valve 66 from the control device 47 via the control line. .

Nozzle 6 still active during further rotation of filling element 12
5 is continued with liquid inflow at the lowest flow rate or filling rate, and the switching device 69 responds until the predetermined height of rise and the actuating device 46 is actuated via the control line a and until the closing of the liquid valve 48. The valve body 43 is pressed against the valve seat 41 against the action of the opening spring 42. The filling phase is thereby ended.

Subsequently, upon further rotation of the filling element 12 for a predetermined time, the stabilization of the filled liquid during the pre-decompression phase ensures that the back-pressure gas pressure regulated in the back-pressure gas chamber 26 reaches the filling phase. The carbonic acid bubbles formed in the filled liquid become active in the filled container 18 via the conduit section 69 of the connection 64 which is activated or opened, resulting in foaming or overfoaming of the liquid. Can rise without.

Only after this pre-decompression phase has elapsed is the actuating lever 54 actuated towards the control element 56 during further rotation of the filling element 12 . During the resulting pivoting of the valve plate 52, the working connection is first interrupted by blocking the control groove 72 from the working connection with the conduit section 69. Moreover, the valve immediately
ji, 52 assumes the operating position for the initiation of the final depressurization of the vessel to atmospheric pressure, with ducts not shown communicating the energizing gas introduction duct 62 and the balance duct 60 with the depressurization duct 75, so that The preliminary vacuum pressure present in the filled container 18 is reduced to atmospheric pressure via a vacuum duct and a throttle device 74 arranged therein. Compensation for the liquid level present inside the filling tube and in the container 18 also takes place. The container 18 is depressurized upon further rotation of the filling element 12
is removed from the filling element 12 by lowering with the stroke cylinder 16 and separated from the machine in the area of the container outlet of the machine.

Other filling conditions for the liquid to be filled are established and prepared during said operation, for example because the temperature and/or CO2 content of the liquid to be filled has other values or the type of bottle is changed. If during the decompression phase leading to foaming of the liquid,
In order to also achieve an optimal pre-depressurization adapted to this filling condition, the locked back pressure gas pressure is adapted to the changed filling conditions by the changes made in the pressure feeler 33 of the conventional pressure regulation, i.e. In some cases, a simultaneous optimization of the flow rate or the filling rate with adjusted back pressure gas pressure is achieved, as long as liquid filling is possible.

If the filling machine 10 is supplied with different liquids on the basis of a type change, filling conditions different from those of the previously filled liquid result in as effective a pre-vacuum as possible and therefore as optimal an efficiency as possible for the filling machine 10 ( When operated accordingly, with other filling conditions, the back pressure gas pressure and therefore also the pre-vacuum pressure should be adjusted as far as possible to achieve the number of containers or bottles filled per unit time. Much lower than the saturation pressure of the liquid to be treated in each case, but well above atmospheric pressure, which results in the stabilization of the filled liquid in the method already described, but with no foaming or overheating of this liquid in the pre-decompression phase. Foaming does not occur, and accordingly the final depressurization to atmospheric pressure can be carried out within a relatively short time and without foaming or overfoaming of the liquid. Each filling element 12 of the filling machine 10 is connected via a connection 64 with a throttle device 63 of the filling machine 10 to a backpressure gas chamber 26 common to all filling elements 12.
, so that changes in the pressure regulation carried out at the pressure feeler 33 act simultaneously on all filling elements 12,
As a result, an optimal pre-decompression pressure for the pre-decompression phase can be set in common for all filling elements 33 and, if necessary, by a common adjustment for all filling elements 12. The critical pressure and filling of the throttling device 63 is determined when the properties of the liquid to be processed are known in advance and taking into account the necessary preliminary vacuum pressure of the back-pressure gas pressure in the back-pressure gas chamber 26 required for the pre-pressure phase. Adapting the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 to a flow rate or filling rate optimally adapted to the filling conditions of the liquid to be filled, insofar as the pressure can be adjusted to a value between I can do it.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least a partial amount of the backpressure gas discharged into the backpressure gas chamber 26 via the joint 64 is used for container preloading and/or for pre-cleaning upstream of the container preloading. is also proposed. This is of economic importance, especially if the liquid inflow (filling phase) is accelerated or has to be carried out with air exclusion at low CO□ consumption. However, this presupposes that, for example, Cot is used during the preloading and, if necessary, the precleaning with an inert gas which precedes the preloading. In such a case, for reuse of the backpressure gas in each filling element 12, each filling element 12 is closed downstream of the nozzle 65 in the conduit section 69 and in the face of the socket 58 facing the valve plate 52. It is recommended to provide a conduit emanating from the connecting connection 64. Furthermore, the valve plate 52 is provided with a connecting duct, by means of which it can be connected for partial prestressing of a balancing duct 60 with an operating state for pre-cleaning and/or a conduit to be discharged, which is predisposed to its own prestress state. be. In this operating state for the valve plate 52, a pre-cleaning takes place in the filling element 12 and the unoccupied container 18, and a partial prestressing to the pressure to be locked occurs in the filling element 12 and the unoccupied container 18. carried out,
and only in the closed position with the filling element 12 the valve plate 5
A specific preload is implemented in the two predetermined operating states. In the operating state for pre-cleaning and partial pre-pressure, the backpressure gas at a pressure below the regulated pressure is passed through a supply conduit (not shown) and via a connection duct (also not shown) into the balance duct 60 and from there into the balance chamber 61 and It reaches the container 18 through the inside of the filling tube 13. The air directed upwardly and compressed in this container and entrained from the container 18 flows outwardly through the unobstructed container inlet;
and during the further operation of the filling element 12 and during the upward stroke of the stroke cylinder 16, until the container 18 is brought into the tight state shown in FIG. 2 by the stroke cylinder. Flow. A partial prepressure of the container is set to a pressure that is to be adjusted depending on the occupied blocking position. This is preferred, since there is a risk in this case that the pre-reducing pressure required for the pre-reducing phase cannot be maintained by the back-pressure gas to be supplied to the back-pressure gas chamber 26 for pre-cleaning and partial pre-pressurization. In order to maintain the necessary preliminary vacuum pressure, a corresponding amount of boosting gas is supplied to the back pressure gas chamber, for example back pressure gas chamber 2.
6 or an extended conduit 31 to the ring distribution chamber 25 or to the energizing gas conduit 29 via a branch pipe (not shown), which is controlled by a pressure feeler 33 and which is used to prepare the filling machine 10 for operation. It can also be used for energizing the backpressure gas chamber 26 with backpressure gas to be regulated.

The embodiment described above includes a controlled liquid valve 48 which is brought into a closed position on the basis of a signal provided by a switching device 49 upon rise of the liquid in the container 18 to a predetermined filling level.
It does not only concern the filling machine 10 described above, which has a filling element 12 with. Without departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention, each liquid valve 48 is closed on the basis of a signal that can be issued by the control device 47 after the inflow of the amount of liquid actually supplied to the container 18. liquid valve is
It can also be mechanically brought into the closed position after a further increase in the liquid in the container has been interrupted by an inflow that determines the filling height. In the last case, as shown in FIG. 4, in the usual manner instead of the switching device 49, the inlet 9 of the connection 64 is connected to the container 1 to be filled for determining the filling height.
8 and to be fed to the inlet.
A ball check valve 80 is provided above the container 18 in a known manner for interrupting the liquid supply to the container 18. In this variant, it may also be reasonable to control the drain valve 66 mechanically and transmit its function to the valve plate 52.

FIG. 6 shows a one-chamber counterpressure filling machine 10a of rotating construction. This filling machine 10a, which is also specified for filling carbonated liquids, has a ring-shaped liquid tank 81, on the underside of which a number of filling elements 82 are provided at equal intervals, each filling element being Valve body 84 with back pressure gas pipe 83
It also has a filling connection pipe 85 forming a filling duct.

The filling connection pipe 85 is formed with an inner surface defining a filling duct as a valve seat, and the valve seat forms a liquid valve 86 together with the valve body 84, and the valve seat has a valve seat for closing the liquid valve 86. A valve body 84 can be abutted. A valve body 84 with a gas valve 86 is connected to a control lever 8 for opening and closing a liquid valve 86.
7, the control lever being a control cam or a control lever 87 of a fixed control part (not shown) of the filling machine 10a.
Collaborate with.

Each filling element 82 is associated with a lifting device, of which only the associated support pan is shown in FIG. The filling machine 10a furthermore has, common to all filling machines 10a, a ring-shaped chamber 89 arranged around the outer periphery of the liquid tank 81, which chamber is adjustable or adjustable in accordance with the pre-decompression pressure required for the pre-decompression phase. pressure is applied. The regulation of this pressure in the chamber 89 corresponds to the pressure feeler 33 of the filling machine 10 and corresponds to the regulating valve 32, which is attached to a regulating valve in the outlet of the chamber 89 which is connected to atmospheric pressure. A control device 90 is provided below the chamber 89 and partly below the liquid tank 81, which via an operating element 91'' cooperates with a control cam of the control ring of the stationary filling machine 10a (not shown). The inlet of the control mechanism 90 communicates with the filling duct 86 upstream in the flow direction via a connecting duct 91 at least in the closed position of the liquid valve 86. The outlet of the control valve mechanism 90 of each filling element 82 is connected to the container pressure reduction 73 of the corresponding container pressure reduction section 92, which is connected to the rear of the liquid valve 91. It has a decompression duct 93 open to the surroundings.

The control valve mechanism 90 has three operating positions, namely, the control valve mechanism 90
a first operating position in which there is no connection between the inlet and the outlet of the control valve mechanism 90 , the inlet and the first outlet of the control valve mechanism 90 are connected to each other and there is therefore fluid communication between the connecting duct 91 and the chamber 89; a second operating position in which the inlet and the second outlet of the control valve mechanism 90 are interconnected and a fluid communication exists between the connecting duct 91 and the vessel pressure reduction part 92 or its pressure reduction duct 93; and a driving position.

If, for filling the container 18, it is pressed against the filling element 82 from below by a lifting device or a supporting plate 88,
As a result, the container 18 rests its mouth tightly against the filling connection tube 85 below the intermediate connection of the closure element, which is not shown. By lifting the control lever 87 shown in FIG. 6 for the introduction of the filling phase, the gas valve 87' is opened and the liquid valve 86 is thereby released, so that the adjustment between the container 18 and the liquid tank 81 is When the pressure is equalized, the liquid valve 8
6 is opened and liquid can flow into the container 18 to be filled. Filling of the container 18 stops as soon as the liquid rising into the container 18 reaches the lower end of the back pressure gas line 83. The filling valve 84 is then closed, thereby finally ending the filling phase. The control valve mechanism 90, conventionally in its first operating position, is then brought into a second operating position for a subsequent preliminary depressurization of the container 18 to be filled;
The pressure in the filled container 18 can thereby be reduced via the connecting duct 91 to the pre-reduced pressure acting in the chamber 89 or regulated there. In this embodiment, too, the pre-decompression pressure allows the undissolved carbonic acid from the filled liquid, i.e. the carbonic acid bubbles that may be present, to rise, but the foaming or over-foaming of the liquid or subsequent rise to atmospheric pressure. When the pressure is reduced, this liquid does not flow out of the container 18. A pre-vacuum pressure present in the chamber 89 and greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure, which is maintained for a specified period of time to stabilize the filled liquid.
Only after the A depressurization phase is the control valve mechanism 90 brought into the third operating position via the container depressurization part 92, which is connected to the connecting duct 91, in which the container 18 is depressurized from the preliminary depressurization pressure to atmospheric pressure. During the further operation of the filling element 82, the depressurized containers 18 are removed from the filling element 82 by lowering by means of the support plate 88 or the lifting device and are removed from the filling machine 10a in the region of the container outlet at this point.

7 and 8 show a filling element 12'' similar to that in FIG. The nozzle 65 of the throttling device 63 can be used together with the filling element 12 and the conduit section 69.
It differs only by being located in the same part of the conduit part 68 which is located from the conduit part 68 and between the branch to the conduit part 70 and the valve plate 52 .

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, a three-chamber counterpressure filling machine 1
a filling element 12 with a filling tube 13 of zero or similar length;
' control takes place after the end of the filling phase, i.e. after the closure of the liquid valve 48, whereby a preliminary depressurization to the backpressure gas pressure established in the backpressure gas chamber 26 of the container 18 filled, i.e. the nozzle Conduit section 6 with 65 and conduit section 6
9. However, this embodiment of the invention compensates for the liquid level present in the filling tube 13 and the container 18 during the pre-vacuum phase or rest phase during the pre-vacuum pressure in accordance with the achievement of the back pressure gas pressure or the pre-vacuum pressure. will be held.

For this purpose, after closing the liquid valve 48 by a corresponding switching of the energizing gas valve mechanism 50 carried out by a control element 56 cooperating with the actuating lever 54, the valve plate 52 is shown in FIG. Balance duct 60 via controlled groove 72
, is moved to the operating position where the connection between the energized gas duct 62 and the conduit section 690 is formed. This connection makes it possible to compensate the liquid level at the pre-reduced pressure in the pre-reduced pressure phase, with the carbonic acid liberated in the filling pipe 13 passing from this filling pipe via the balancing duct 60 to the backpressure gas. It can flow out into chamber 60.

After the rest or pre-depressurization phase has elapsed, a final depressurization of each container 18 to atmospheric pressure takes place in this embodiment as well. For this purpose, the valve plate 52 of the energizing gas valve mechanism 50 communicates with the pressure reducing duct 75 via only one control groove 72 for all operating positions, and the communication between the conduit sections 68 and 69 is interrupted. brought into driving position.

When the pre-vacuum pressure is reached, said compensation of the liquid level during the rest or pre-vacuum phase has significant advantages. Carbonic acid, which may have been liberated in the filling tube 13 during the pre-decompression, can be discharged into the backpressure gas chamber 26 via the balance duct 60 and the conduit section 69 with the nozzle 65, so that
At pre-pressure (fMfli), gas shocks and associated gas shocks in the filling tube 13 are avoided if necessary from the filling tube. Such gas shocks, which occur in particular during depressurization to atmospheric pressure, are avoided in the container 18. A significant stabilization of the liquid within the chamber leads to an additional release of carbonic acid with significant foaming. Compensation of the liquid level when the pre-vacuum pressure is reached contributes to the filling of the liquid during the pre-vacuum phase.

In this embodiment of the invention, liquid level compensation is already carried out before the final depressurization of each container 18 to atmospheric pressure, so that upon initiation of the final depressurization of the containers 18 to atmospheric pressure, Immediately after or immediately after the withdrawal of the filling container from the associated filling element 12'' is initiated, i.e. the filling is carried out with the avoidance of any destabilization of the liquid, which could lead to an unnecessary release of carbonic acid or to the formation of bubbles in the container 18. This is also possible during a careful blanking of the tube 13. This is preferred, in particular because unnecessary openings in the filling tube 13 or bubbling in the container 18 or in other ducts of each filling element 12' are avoided. In this embodiment, a low droplet loss and therefore a clean working method for the counterpressure filling machine 10 is obtained.

The above-mentioned compensation of the liquid level at the pre-vacuum pressure can be used with the above-mentioned advantages in a reduced manner in all counter-pressure filling machines with long filling tubes.

In other embodiments, the control of the three-chamber counterpressure filling machine 10 with, for example, the filling element 12' is such that after the pre-reduction phase or the rest phase the reduction is first at a low overpressure or at approximately 0.1 to 0.6 bar. It is carried out in a form that is carried out under reduced pressure. For example, 0
．． Once a small overpressure of 5 bar has been achieved, the corresponding container 18 is drained from the associated filling element 12'', so that a reduction to atmospheric pressure takes place via the container opening.Reducing the pressure to a slight overpressure is achieved. Therefore, after the end of the pre-(Illi decompression phase)
Corresponding to the figure, the valve plate 52 is brought into the operating position in the interrupted line sections 68 and 69 of the balancing duct 60, where the energizing gas introduction duct 62 and the pressure reducing duct 75 are interconnected by a control groove 72. Furthermore, the drain valve 66 is opened. Taking into account the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26, the diameters of the nozzle 67 and the restrictor 74 are selected in such a way that the desired small overpressure or underpressure is set in the container 18. The advantage of this method is that liquids or beverages that tend to be highly carbonated or effervescent are also treated with care. Depressurization to a small overpressure is used in principle in all backpressure filling machines without or with a filling tube, and in particular ensures that relaxed or liberated carbon dioxide and air bubbles are cleanly discharged to the atmosphere. It is used with the advantage of being

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the starting point is that the backpressure gas pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 is used to generate a slight overpressure. In principle, it is also possible to provide a separate or additional chamber with a pressure medium for this purpose. Preferably, the embodiment has the advantage that the pre-reduced pressure in the backpressure gas chamber 26 can thereby be changed without the slight overpressure or underpressure being changed.

The method according to the invention not only increases the filling efficiency, but also avoids carbon absorption during the filling process, since the filling pressure can be reduced and the beverages filled by the filling process during the pre-depressurization. This is because it also provides the possibility that the gas bubbles present therein can rise below the pre-decompression pressure. This is particularly advantageous for beer filling.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a back pressure filling machine with an atmospheric pressure chamber structure with controlled filling elements, FIG. 2 is a diagram of the filling elements of the back pressure filling machine according to FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4. 2 is a detailed view of the preventable connection of the filling element in an embodiment modified from FIG. 2, and FIG. Figure 6 shows the dependence of the two different filling pressure outlets of the back pressure gas flowing into the back pressure gas chamber through the device on the back pressure gas pressure in the back pressure gas chamber. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are enlarged views similar to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a modified embodiment of the filling element of the filling machine and of the energizing gas valve mechanism in two different operating states; Symbol in the diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for filling a container or the like with a carbonated liquid, in particular a beverage, under counterpressure, in which case the filling phase is carried out under container pre-pressure and is under the influence of the filling pressure. A liquid is injected into the container in intimate contact with the respective filling element, and at least occasionally a backpressure gas compressed by the injected liquid is discharged from the container via a backpressure gas path of the filling element, and A pre-depressurization of the container, in which after the end of the filling phase and in close contact with the filling element, the container is first depressurized in a pre-decompression phase to the pre-decompression pressure and subsequently depressurized to atmospheric pressure. is the pressure between atmospheric pressure and the saturation pressure of the liquid, where the rise of the liberated carbon dioxide of the liquid just filled during the pre-decompression phase causes the filling to occur due to foaming of the liquid during depressurization to atmospheric pressure. Said method, characterized in that the adjustment is possible without leading to undesired leakage of liquid from the container. 2. The container filled during at least the pre-decompression phase communicates with a chamber in which the pre-decompression pressure is regulated.
Method described. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, after the filling phase, each container is communicated via a control valve mechanism with a chamber regulated to a pre-vacuum pressure. 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backpressure gas having a pressure gradient during the filling phase is discharged via a connection provided with a throttle device and forming a backpressure gas path into a chamber adjusted to a pre-reduced pressure. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure established in the chamber is less than the saturation pressure of the liquid to be filled. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure established in the chamber corresponds to or approximates the saturation pressure of the liquid to be filled. 7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pressure regulated in the chamber lies between the filling pressure and the critical pressure of the throttling device. 8. The pressure regulated in the chamber is adjusted continuously depending on the filling pressure of the liquid to be filled, preferably continuously depending on the filling pressure of the liquid to be filled. Any one of the methods. 9. Any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein at least a partial amount of the backpressure gas compressed into the chamber via the connection is used for container prepressurization and/or for precleaning preceding the container prepressurization. Method described. 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the pre-decompression phase, in particular at the pre-decompression pressure achieved in the container, compensation of the liquid level in the container as well as in the filling tube takes place. 11. Claims 1 to 10, wherein after the subsequent preliminary depressurization and before the final depressurization of the container to atmospheric pressure, the depressurization is carried out with a small overpressure adjustable between approximately 0.1 and 0.6 bar.
The method described in any one of the preceding paragraphs. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein when a slight overpressure is achieved, the container is removed from the filling element and a final depressurization to atmospheric pressure takes place via the container inlet. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each container communicates with atmospheric pressure via at least one nozzle or at least one throttle element when a small overpressure is reached. 14. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising a liquid tank for the liquid to be filled and a container to be filled respectively, at least a container vacuum, a filling phase and a pre-depressurization to a pre-vacuum pressure. at least one filling element brought into a state of occlusion during pre-depressurization of the filled container to atmospheric pressure, and a discharge duct provided in the filling element and communicating with the liquid tank via a controlled liquid valve. and a pre-depressurization following at least the filling phase, comprising a backpressure gas path formed in the filling element for backpressure gas compressed during the filling phase and/or exiting from each container during container depressurization, and an outlet to the atmosphere. in said device comprising a chamber in communication with a backpressure gas line during the phase, at or at the outlet (30) of the chamber (26, 89);
A regulating valve (32) is connected to the conduit (31) extending from the chamber (26, 89), which is opened when the pressure present in the chamber (26, 89) exceeds the regulated preliminary vacuum pressure. The device characterized in that. 15. The regulating valve (32) is equipped with a pressure feeler (33) set in the chamber (26, 89) or in the conduit (31) extending to the outlet (30) and detecting the pressure to be regulated. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the feeler is controlled to the open position when the pressure in the chamber exceeds the regulated pre-vacuum pressure. 16 A liquid tank (11
Another pressure feeler (34) inserted into the conduit (28) feeding the 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the regulating valve (32) is arranged to be brought into an open position when . 17. Prepressure chamber (25) with long filling pipe (13) and controlled energizing gas valve mechanism (50) and for prepressure gas
In the filling element (12, 12'), which is also connected to 17. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that it is provided with a mechanism (63) and is formed by a connection (64) which can be blocked by an energizing gas valve mechanism (50). 18 Blockable connection (6) with throttle device (63)
4) In addition to the conduit extension (70) with a nozzle (67) and a drain valve (66), there is also a further nozzle (65) and a stop valve (52, 67) for filling with a minimum filling rate. The at least one filling element has a blockable connection, the connection having a drain valve in the conduit extension provided in the nozzle, which acts as a throttling position. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the drain valve is controllable for filling with an increased filling rate to an open position. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the stop valve is designed as a back pressure gas valve (77). 20 The stop valve is designed as a flat slide valve and has a valve disc (52
), and the valve disc is controlled by mechanical rotation (56).
19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the device is pivotable into operating positions for example for "prepressurization", "filling" and subsequent "pre-decompression" and "depressurization to atmospheric pressure". 21 In the configuration of at least one filling element (12, 12') with a mechanical control for a controllable liquid valve (48), the inlet on the preload side forms a backpressure gas path for determining the filling level. and filling elements (12, 12') for filling the container (18) to be filled.
21. The device according to claim 15, wherein the device is attached to a filling tube (13) of a container. 22 at least one signal emitter comprising an electrically controllable liquid valve (48) and a signal generator for emitting a signal for control of the liquid valve (48) to the closed position upon achieving the required filling level; 21. In the installation of the filling element (12, 12'), the signal emitter is an electrical switching device (49) mounted on the outside of the filling tube (13). equipment. 23. A blockable connection (64) with a backpressure gas chamber (26) or a throttle device (63) is connected with a blockable conduit for discharging the backpressure gas downstream of the throttle device (63); The conduit is configured to be connectable to a balancing duct (60) formed in the filling element and communicating with the filling tube (13) for pre-cleaning and/or pre-pressurizing the container (18) to be filled with a backpressure gas. 23. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the device comprises: 24 In the configuration of the device as a one-chamber backpressure filling machine (10a), a controllable valve mechanism (90) is provided, which for the pre-depressurization phase is equipped with a control valve mechanism (90).
24. According to any one of claims 14 to 23, the liquid tank (81) is additionally provided with a backpressure gas line and communicates with a chamber (89) with an regulated preliminary vacuum pressure. equipment. 25 A control valve mechanism (50) is provided during the formation of at least one filling element (12, 12') with a filling tube (13), which mechanism controls the filling tube (13) during pre-reduced pressure. ) and to compensate for the liquid level present in the container, the filling tube (13) can be switched into an operating position in which the inside is connected to the chamber of the container and to the duct (69), which is located above the liquid level. and the duct communicates with a chamber or a back-pressure gas chamber (26) with an outlet to atmospheric pressure, in particular the duct leading to the back-pressure gas chamber (26) is equipped with a throttle mechanism (26) for the back-pressure gas channel.
63), the conduit extension (69) having no
Apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 4 to 24. 26 with a pressure reduction duct (75) provided in the filling element (12, 120) and open via at least one throttle device (74) to at least the atmosphere, which duct carries liquid for the purpose of reducing the pressure of the container (18); A blockable and backpressure gas chamber (26) with a nozzle (67) is provided in the space of the container located on the surface and optionally inside the filling tube (13) as well.
), and the throttling device (74) and the nozzle (67) create a reduced pressure which is located slightly above atmospheric pressure when the conduit extension (70) is opened. The pressure is selected so that a reduced pressure of between 0.1 and 0.6 bar is generated, in particular the conduit extension (70) with the nozzle (67) being part of the throttling device (63). 26. The apparatus of any one of claims 14-25.